Dear Pharmacy Benefits Managers,

We have gotten off on the wrong foot and I would like an opportunity to rebuild our relationship.  First I want to apologize for attacking you and your business practices in a negative way.  I disagree with the current direction that you continue to push pharmacy practice, but that doesn't mean we can't find common ground and work together.

As we work on rebuilding our relationship, we have to address some major issues.  First, I am not a robot and will never be a robot (except for about an hour after my Venti Iced Coffee).  In order for our relationship to work you have to accept me as I am and work with my strengths as a human.  

Secondly, you will need to end your relationship with the mail order business.  As long as you own your own mail order pharmacy you will always be tempted to make decisions that are not necessarily in the best interests of your customers or the community pharmacies in your network.  I understand that owning a vibrant mail order pharmacy gives you an opportunity to leverage big kickbacks from drug companies in exchange for formulary preference, but this practice only makes you look sneaky.  

Third of all, I would like you to revisit your contract department.  Please consider that not all pharmacies are created equal.  Pharmacists that work hard to take care of the patients in your network should be fairly compensated for their efforts.  You get what you pay for in most cases, and when you pay a little more on the front end, your patients will realize more benefit through an increase in access to patient care.  

Finally, I am not opposed to you making money.  All I am asking for is a little transparency.  Show your stakeholders (i.e.: employers, HR managers, pharmacies, patients) where you make money.  Show your stakeholders where you spend money and how much you actually spend.  True capitalism cannot exist behind a cloud of secrecy.  Show the world what you are about and compete in a fair market.  Be a leader and show that healthcare can be delivered efficiently and in an honest fashion.  You will still make money (maybe not as much at first) and you will make healthcare in our country better.

Sincerely,

Concerned Pharmacist